Improvement in shoulder-braces



PATENTEIIYAUG 8 1.871

77 an We J j M710 UNITED STATEs PATENT GEEICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHOULDER-BRACES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 117,728, dated August 8, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AURELIA W. BEAMAN, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Shoulder-Braces, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making' part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved shoulder-brace. Figs. 2 and 3 represent its application to the human form.

My invention relates to an improvement in shoulder-braces for ladies or gentlemens use, and consists in a pair of independent bands or braces, which cross each other at the back and are fastened together in front, each brace being provided with shoulder-straps or loops, through which the arm is passed, to hold its upper end in place upon the shoulder; each brace being also provided, if desired, with straps for suspending the clothing, and also with separate and independent strips of whalebone or steel at the back to press in the shoulder-blades; the wh ole, when applied, serving to draw back the shoulders and expand the chest, and also to support the stomach, while it is easy to apply, comfortble to the wearer, and allows of the free movement of the body.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out.

In the said drawing, A B are two independent cloth bands or braces of the form shown, the enlarged end of each of which is cut away at a and provided with two elastic straps, b c, which form loops, through which the arm is passed and by which the upper end of the brace is held in place upon the shoulder. The two braces A B are crossed at the back of the wearer, and their narrow or lower ends d e are brought around the waist and secured together in front by a buckle,

button, or otherwise. The wide portion of each.

brace, which rests on the shoulder-blade, is provided with a series of separate and independent strips, h, of whalebone, steel, or other suitable material, which serves to stiifen that portion of the brace and cause the shoulder-blade to be pressed in thereby. t t' and k 7c are front and back straps, provided with button-holes, for supporting the pants, skirt, or other garment, by which the hips are relieved ofthe weight thereof. These supporting-straps i t' k k may be dispensed with, if desired.

The above-described shoulder-brace is of simple construction, easily applied, and serves to ,draw back the shoulders, expand the chest, and support the stomach, while it is comfortable to the wearer and admits of the free movement of the body, as the bands are disconnected and work loosely across or over each other on the back.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The independent braces A B, provided with the elastic straps b c and front and back straps M and 7c 7c, all arranged and constructed sub stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Vitness my hand this 18th day of January,

AURELIA W. BEAMAN.

Witnesses N. W. STEARNs, W. J. CAMBRIDGE. 

